The Best Suburbs to Live in London 

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The Best Suburbs to Live in London 

Moving to or within London takes a lot of consideration, particularly when it comes to finding the right location for your new home.

If you are moving with a young family, the situation gets complicated even further. With a young family, you will need to factor in potential schools, outdoor facilities, security, and more.

Here are the best suburbs to live in London 

1. Willesden Green 

This area can sometimes be overlooked as a London suburb for young families. There are very attractive, large properties lining the streets that make it a perfect area for family life.

It has great transport links, with the Jubilee line running through it, commuting is easy. Being just five miles to the northwest of central London, it would take less than 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city. 

It’s quite a diverse neighbourhood, and the shopping center blends old with new. There are long-established traditional butchers and bakeries, as well as more well-known chains.

Here in, you will find shops selling African fabrics, Portuguese and Brazilian shops, and a tasty Italian deli. The nearby Galdstone Park offers green space for children to play. Schools are also nearby.

2. Highbury 

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Family life in London doesn’t have to mean waving goodbye to the center of town. This leafy middle-class staple is close to, but not right in the middle, of the action.

Located near the more high-profile north London hotspots of Islington and Angel, it quietly goes about its business while London’s energy continues to buzz around it. However, things can get busy when local football team Arsenal plays their home games. 

Highbury offers more family-friendly living, with green spaces and larger homes. It has plenty of cozy pubs, chic cafés, and one of the loveliest residential squares in London, Highbury Fields, making it a great base for ex-pats moving to London. 

3. Richmond Upon Thames 

This area of South West London will appeal to those who want to have great options to get into the center of the city, but also want to live in a place that has more of a small-town feel.

Richmond has a lovely village green with a couple of pubs overlooking it. In the summer months, you can watch cricket teams playing.

There’s an excellent array of shops, and the area has the added advantage of having one of the lowest crime rates in all of London. It is recommended for families and young professionals with a high disposable income because the rent is high. 

4. Notting Hill 

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Made famous by the film, Notting Hill is a place that lives up to the hype. For amenities, restaurants, trendy bars and cafes, wonderful quirky shops, and of course, the world-famous carnival, this West London area has a unique charm.

It’s not the cheapest area to live in, but being so central it appeals to both young professionals and families alike. 

While the neighborhood has proper English charm for about 363 days out of the year, there are 2 days in August where full-on partying takes center stage. The Notting Hill Carnival is second only to Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival.

It attracts more than two million visitors each year. The cultural celebration takes place around the neighborhood and over the years has turned into one of the best outdoor festivals in the world.

5. Putney 

This area is popular with young couples looking for a little more space and family-friendly activities. Homes in Putney are a mix of new apartments, family homes, and Edwardian mansions, mostly set along quiet residential streets.

The leafy banks of the Thames offer popular walking and running trails. To truly escape the city, however, head to nearby Richmond Park, which is around three times the size of New York’s Central Park. 

Putney has a direct rail link to Waterloo station, with the journey taking around 15 minutes.

6. Crystal Palace 

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Another popular London neighbourhood for those seeking parks and open spaces is Crystal Palace. Most of the Crystal Palace area is occupied by the beautiful park, which is often filled with families enjoying the surroundings.

The park includes a parade of dinosaur statues, a skate park, one of the largest outdoor mazes in the country, and a boating park.

Near to the park are the railway station and the National Sports Centre which is a 15,500-seater athletics stadium that is a popular attraction for sports fans. 

Another interesting aspect enjoyed by its residents is that Crystal Palace has one of the highest points in the city, meaning there are some fantastic views of the capital. 

Crystal Palace is not just one of the safest places in London, but also one of the best value-for-money neighborhoods too. 

7. Greenwich 

Just to the west of Bexley is Greenwich, a beautiful and leafy area that’s famously popular with young families and commuters thanks to its wide-open spaces. It is home to the Royal Park, a beautiful spot for a picnic or sports while taking in the views of the city. 

Greenwich has a wide selection of schools to choose from. Despite not having a tube station, Greenwich is still within easy reach of the city center for commuters on the Docklands Light Railway.

There is also a large number of museums in the area, not to mention the O2 arena, which is almost a town in itself with shops, bowling alleys, cinemas, restaurants, and the concert venue. 

8. Mayfair 

Mayfair is an upscale district of elegant Georgian townhouses, exclusive hotels, and gourmet restaurants. It is one of the city’s finest residential areas and one of London’s most attractive villages.

Properties in Mayfair are all about luxury living. Here, you will find many purpose-built, palatial apartments for couples and professionals.

The well-heeled streets of Mayfair are home to some of the world’s most high-end shops, galleries, and restaurants. It is an enticing space of heritage, culture, and fashion.

9. Bexley 

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Located on the east side of the capital and bordering Greenwich, Bexley is one of the best-value areas and also one of the safest areas of London to live in. 

Having about 100 parks, some of which have trees that are nearing 200 years old, Bexley has more than its fair share of green spaces. This makes it a fantastic location to move to as a family, especially during the summer months.

Other than the ample selection of parks, there is a very popular leisure center, Crook Log, which has a 25-meter swimming pool, sauna, a gym, and a handful of outdoor sports pitches. 

10. Islington 

A popular location with families, Islington in North London is a little bit more affordable than certain other places in the city.

The local population is varied, with city workers, students, and families all happily living in the same area. It is very centrally located, meaning that you can walk into the very center of London in about 30 minutes.

Public transport is reliable because the area is well served with London buses and underground tube trains.